I've always wanted to join the army as a kid and become a solider which would fight countless of wars and save a bunch of lives as a hero…
...My name is Akira Shinohara, 25 years, I've always wanted to become a military officer but unfortunately I've always failed the final test every year.
Akira stared blankly at his computer screen, his mind numb from hours of coding. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to hum in sync with the frustration building in his chest. He was a programmer, a cog in the machine , a far cry from the solider he had dreamed of becoming.
As a child, Akira would spend hours playing tactical games, imagining himself as a fearless commander, Leading his troupes to victory. He would read books on military strategy, fascinated by the great generals and their campaigns. But life and their campaigns. But life had other plans.
Despite his passion, Akira's grades had never been good enough to secure a spot in the military academy. His childhood friend, Kaito had sailed through the rigorous training program with ease, Earning top honors and a coveted spot in the elite special forces. Meanwhile, Akira was stuck in the corporate world, Writing code for a living.
The pain of failure still lingered, a dull ache that Akira couldn't shave. He would see kaito's posts on social media, Updates, from the front lines and feel a pang of jealousy.
"Why couldn't he be the one serving his country, fighting for a cause"
Akira's love life wasn't much better. His ex-girlfriend, Akane, had left him six months ago, citing his back of ambition and direction. Akira couldn't blame her. He had been struck in rut, unable to find a place in the world.
As he worked, Akira's mind wandered back to Akane.
He remembered the way she smiled, the way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight during the day and reflected the stars at night. He had thought they had something real, something worth fighting for but in the end, it wasn't enough.
The system notification on his computer broke the silence alerting him to an incoming meeting with his team lead. Akira sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. Time to put on a mask and pretend to be interested in the latest project updates.
The meeting was a blur of technical jargon and PowerPoint slides. Akira's mind drifted, and he found himself thinking about kaito again. What was his friend doing now? was he safe being in the front lines?
His phone buzzed in his pocket, a message from an unknown number.
"Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone"
Akira's heart skipped a beat. Something about the message sent a shiver down his spine.
"Who was this? And what did they want?"
The meeting finally ended, Akira made his way back to his cubicle. He tried to focus on his work, What was he getting himself into?
As the sun set outside, casting a glow over the city, Akira couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to take a turn. Little did he know, the shadows of the past were closing in, and the future held secrets he couldn't even begin to imagine.
The clock ticked closer to midnight, and Akira found himself standing in front of the warehouse his heart pounding in his chest. What was he doing here? This wasn't his fight. But something about the message resonated deep within him.
With a deep breath, Akira stepped forward, into the unknown.
Akira stepped into the warehouse, his eyes scanning the dimly lit space. Suddenly a figure emerged from the shadows. His heart skipped a beat as he realized it was Akane.
"Akane, what are you doing here?" Akira asked trying to keep his emotions in check.
Akane's eyes locked onto his mix of emotions swirling within them. "Akira, I've been trying to reach you", she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Akira's instincts told him something was off but he couldn't quite put his finger on it "What's going on Akane ? "You just disappear and then show up here, out of the blue?"
Akane took a step closer, Her eyes pleading.
"Akira, im sorry. I know I hurt you, but I had my reasons. I-
The conversation was cut short as Akane's expression changed, and she glanced up in the sky. Akira followed her gaze, and a beam of light illuminated the warehouse. Something was dropping from the sky.
"Whats happening?" Akira's asked, his voice lacked with concern.
"Well the thing is that" Akane said softly
An object hindered towards them, "Get down" Akira shouted as his instincts kicked in, He shielded his eyes, bracing for impact. But instead of a crash, there was a strange, pulsating glow.
As the light faded, Akira saw an object lying on the ground. It was an artifact emitting a warm, golden light. Akane approached it cautiously her ayes drenched in fear focusing on Akira.
Suddenly, the artifact began to glow brighter, and Akira felt an intense energy coursing through his body his chest felt heavy. He tried to step back, but it was too late. The energy enveloped him, and everything went white.
When Akira's vision returned, he was standing in the warehouse, but something felt different. He looked down at his hands, he heard a voice.
System [ sync complete_ ]
And they were glowing with a soft energy/light. A strange, tingling sensation spread through his body, and Akira felt a surge of power he had never experienced before. He looked at Akane, and her eyes were wide with wonder.
"Akira what that happened to you?. She whispered. Akira's response was a mixture of awe and intimidation. "I don't know but I feel weird"
Akane helped Akira up and they both walk out of te warehouse with out word, they walked out of the warehouse, the night air thick. The full moon up in the sky, casting a glow over the city and the sea.
As they strolled off to the side Akira couldn't shake off the fact that everything seemed to sense it too, her eyes darting towards him.
They walked in silence until they reached Akira's apartment building. Akane turned to him, her expression softening. "I'll see you around, Akira" she said ,her voice barely whispering.
Akira nodded ,still typing to process the events of the night. " Yeah, take care"
Akane smiled faintly and turned to leave. As she walked away, she muttered to herself, " oh, I forgot to tell him… oh well, I guess it can wait"
She gazed up at the full moon, a look of wistfulness on her face. "it's beautiful, isint it ?" she whispered to herself.
Meanwhile, Akira stumbled into his apartment, exhausted. He collapsed into his bed, his head throbbing with a headache.
" Ugh, what happened?" he mumbled, his vision blurring.
As he drifted off to sleep, he groaned,
" shit my head hurts"
The full moon casting its light over the city, unaware of the changes brewing in the shadows…